News and Events
- The library offers several genealogy classes throughout the year.
- Sign up for the monthly genealogy newsletter to stay informed about genealogy news, services, and programs.
- Find other local genealogy events through ConferenceKeeper.
Genealogy Databases
Ancestry Library

Access over a billion names in hundreds of databases, including U.S. Census records (1790-1930); military records; court, land and probate records; vital and church records; directories and passenger lists.
Chicago Tribune - Historical (1849-1997)

This historical newspaper provides genealogists, researchers and scholars with online, easily searchable first-hand accounts and unparalleled coverage of the politics, society and events of the time.
FamilySearch.org

Genealogical records from one of the largest genealogy organizations in the country. Creation of a free personal account is required. The Ela Library is a FamilySearch Affiliate. Some content is only available inside the library.
Fold3

Provides convenient access to military records, including the stories, photos, and personal documents of the men and women who served. Offers a wealth of searchable original documents for genealogists.
Heritage Quest

Access family and history books, the U.S. Federal Census (1790-1930), PERSI (The Periodical Source Index), Revolutionary War Pension and Bounty Land Warrant Application Files, Freedman's Bank Records, and more.
Newspapers.com Library Edition

Historical newspaper archive from the 1700s onward, containing thousands of well-known regional, state and small local newspapers in the U.S. and other countries.
Genealogy Resources
Lake County Genealogical Society
PO Box 998
Mundelein, IL 60060-0998
(847) 918-3584
Genealogy Room
Vernon Hills Village Hall
290 Evergreen Dr.
Vernon Hills, IL 60061
Open 9am-4:45pm
(847) 918-3584
Computer-Assisted Genealogy Group of Northern Illinois
P.O. Box 59567
Schaumburg, IL 60159-0567
Family History Centers are branches of the Family History Library of the Mormon Church in Salt Lake City, Utah. You can access the main library’s holdings through indexes available at the branches.
Buffalo Grove Illinois
3075 N Buffalo Grove Road
Buffalo Grove, IL 60089
Phone: (847) 913-5387
Hours: Wed. 10am-2pm and 6:30pm-9pm; Sat. 10am-1pm
Crystal Lake Illinois
480 North Walkup Avenue
Crystal Lake, IL 60012
Phone: (815) 459-7475
Hours: Tue. 10am-2pm; Wed. 9am-noon; Thu. 7-9pm; Fri. 11am-1pm; Sat. 12-3pm
Schaumburg Illinois
1320 W. Schaumburg Road
Schaumburg, IL 60194
Phone: (847) 855-4130
Hours: Wed. 1-9pm; Thu. 4-9pm; Sat. 9am-1pm
Wilmette Illinois
2727 Lake Avenue
Wilmette, IL 60091
Phone: (847) 251-9818
Hours: Tue. 10am-6pm; Wed. 10am-9pm; First and Third Saturdays 9am-1pm
Genealogy Basics - Includes five steps to take for a successful family history project and genealogy research strategies.
Digitizing Your Family History - Includes steps on collecting, digitizing, preserving, and sharing family papers; tips for handling born-digital files; and links to digitization equipment and software at the library.
Oral History Checklist - Includes a recording checklist, sample questions, definitions, suggested equipment and software, and additional resources.
Oral History Guide - Includes the Oral History Checklist, a sample release form, additional family history questions, and a quick start guide for the Zoom H1N recorder. Use with the Audio Recorder Kit in the Library of Things.